T Cell Metabolism in Infection

Front Immunol. 2022 Mar 14:13:840610. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.840610. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

T lymphocytes (T cells) are divided into two functionally different subgroups the CD4+ T helper cells (Th) and the CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Adequate CD4 and CD8 T cell activation to proliferation, clonal expansion and effector function is crucial for efficient clearance of infection by pathogens. Failure to do so may lead to T cell exhaustion. Upon activation by antigen presenting cells, T cells undergo metabolic reprograming that support effector functions. In this review we will discuss how metabolic reprograming dictates functionality during viral infections using severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as examples. Moreover, we will briefly discuss T cell metabolic programs during bacterial infections exemplified by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MT) infection.

Keywords: COVID-19; HIV; T cells; immunometabolism; infection; metabolism; tuberculosis.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
  • COVID-19*
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic